FINAL VIDEO
ANTA
For the launch of Kyrie Irving’s inaugural ANTA signature shoe, the KAI 1, Pixeldust partnered with ThinkDiffusion to create a visually stunning promotional video, ultimately featured on Kyrie Irving’s Instagram. Our goal was to craft a compelling visual narrative that encapsulated Kyrie’s personal and professional journey while emphasizing his deep connection to the number 11. This required merging anime, live-action, 3D animation, and archive photography styles into a seamless, high-energy piece that reflected both his basketball prowess and spiritual philosophy. With no dedicated film shoot, we were tasked with using AI-powered tools and our human artistry to generate unique visuals. Every scene was carefully crafted to ensure consistency in Kyrie’s likeness, movement, and branding, resulting in a fantastic innovation in storytelling.
A MYTHOLOGICAL HERO'S JOURNEY
One of the standout stylistic choices was the anime-inspired sequences, designed to evoke an epic, mythological feel. These sequences were a fusion of AI-assisted techniques, 3D animation, and traditional illustration, all meticulously crafted to maintain Kyrie Irving’s likeness across dynamic scenes. Some shots began as photographs and were transformed through AI to achieve a stylized anime aesthetic, while others were built from scratch using 3D animation techniques that were later converted into anime-style visuals. These sequences depicted pivotal moments in Kyrie’s journey, from sprinting through a vast open field to encounter “Big Mountain,” to facing off against towering basketball giants, and skillfully dodging arrows symbolizing critique. The inclusion of hand-drawn elements further enriched the visual storytelling, blending seamlessly with AI-enhanced frames to create a unique and expressive representation of Kyrie’s path to greatness.
To illustrate Kyrie’s past while preserving authenticity, we relied on archival photos, AI-assisted imagery, and 2.5D animation. Photographs provided by Kyrie’s team were enhanced and reimagined using AI to depict younger versions of himself in a naturalistic way. The live-action sequences were achieved through a combination of stock footage, AI-generated photographs, traditional animation, and real images to construct compositions that convincingly emulated live-action cinematography. These sequences featured Kyrie practicing basketball in his childhood driveway, playing on an NBA court surrounded by paparazzi, and even exploring a mystical desert temple where the KAI 1 shoes were unveiled.
A montage of Kyrie traversing the world—including the pyramids, Taj Mahal, and Great Wall of China—was created by compositing AI-generated imagery of a robed traveler with Kyrie’s face, animating the images, and integrating them into layered 2.5D environments in After Effects. These sequences added a timeless, almost legendary quality to the narrative, emphasizing Kyrie’s global influence and journey of self-discovery. Additionally, 3D animation was seamlessly integrated with live-action elements to showcase the shoes on various individuals. The shoes were carefully modeled and textured in 3D, then composited onto AI-generated 3D figures within a fully rendered 3D environment. To ensure authenticity, Kyrie’s signature dribbling style was meticulously recreated through rotoscoping and motion tracking, preserving the fluidity and precision of his movements in every frame.
BLURRING THE LINES BETWEEN REALITY AND AI
REIMAGINING HISTORY
The KAI 1 promotional video was a groundbreaking fusion of AI technology, 3D animation, and traditional visual effects, pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling. By seamlessly blending so many distinct styles, we created a visually stunning and emotionally compelling piece that resonated with Kyrie’s fans worldwide. Through meticulous attention to Kyrie’s likeness, branding, and movement, we ensured that every frame was not just a spectacle but a meaningful part of his legacy. Our collaboration with ThinkDiffusion and ANTA exemplified how AI-driven artistry can enhance storytelling, turning creative constraints into opportunities for innovation. With this project, we didn’t just showcase a shoe—we told the story of an enlightened warrior, standing 11 strong.
